'Prodigal Son': Characters & Relationships to Watch in a Possible Season 2
While we wait for news about Prodigal Son's future — the producers are "cautiously optimistic" about a second season — we're taking a closer look at where the finale left off.
That killer — and quite bloody — cliffhanger is set to upend quite a bit about the world of the show. How will Nicholas (Dermot Mulroney) being dead and Ainsley (Halston Sage) being the one to kill him affect her and her relationships with those closest to her and Malcolm (Tom Payne)?
See Also
9 Unresolved Matters After the Delightfully Twisted 'Prodigal Son' Season 1 Finale
And if the series is renewed, which characters and relationships could get more screen time, especially now that the girl in the box mystery is resolved?
Scroll down as we break down what we'd like to see in a potential Season 2.
Malcolm
The Malcolm Bright we got to know in Season 1 was one struggling to solve the mystery of the girl in the box. How does putting that behind him — and helping Sophie in the process — affect him? How does he grapple with his sister’s actions and with nearly losing Gil?
Ainsley
As executive producer Chris Fedak said, killing Nicholas “opens a door for Ainsley.” What does that mean for her? How does she cope with what she did? Whether or not there are any legal consequences — which will likely depend on what she, Malcolm, and anyone else they bring in do next — this has to change her.
Ainsley and Martin, Malcolm, and Jessica
Martin’s “my girl” after Malcolm told him what his daughter did made it clear how proud he was of Ainsley. While the first season did briefly touch on the father-daughter relationship, the focus was on Malcolm and Martin. Now that Ainsley is the Whitly who followed in her father’s footsteps and killed someone, we expect a second season to really delve into that connection.
Malcolm was the only Whitly present for Ainsley’s brutal murder of Nicholas, so how will that — and whatever they do next — affect the siblings’ bond? Will we be able to draw any parallels, even slight ones, between their interactions and what we’ve seen between Malcolm and his father?
Seeing Jessica’s reaction to what Ainsley did is sure to be as entertaining as everything else we get from Bellamy Young. The two haven’t had the easiest relationship, but might this bring them closer together?
Ainsley and Gil
Considering how close Gil is to the other two Whitlys not behind bars and given Ainsley’s actions in the finale, this is a relationship that really should be explored further. Gil survived after Nicholas had his man try to kill him, so how will he feel about Endicott being dead and Ainsley being the one to deliver the fatal blow?
Malcolm and Martin
While the question of the first season was just how much Malcolm is like his father — and the answer was “not as much as Ainsley” — this is still the relationship at the heart of the show. And that needs to remain true. How will the events of the first season — Malcolm did call Martin “dad” when he thought he was about to lose him — and what Ainsley did affect the way these two interact?
Jessica and Martin
Just imagine the scenes we could get between the Whitly parents once Jessica finds out what Ainsley did. While Jessica might want to stay away from Martin, that doesn’t mean she will, especially if she’s looking for answers about what could be next with her daughter.
Gil
We’ve really gotten to know Gil in terms of the Whitly family. He’s taken on the role of a father figure with Malcolm, and the future may be bright for him and Jessica. But what about exploring who Gil is, especially as he recovers from being stabbed? Let’s go home with him. Let’s see what he’s like away from work. Let’s see more of his earlier days on the job.
Dani, JT, and Edrisa
We’ve gotten tidbits here and there about all three, but executive producers Fedak and Sam Sklaver hope to tell more stories about them in a second season. Could we see JT as a father? Fedak hopes so.
Gil and Jessica
The two finally addressed their past and kissed as the season came to an end, and they saved each other from Nicholas in the finale. But will that shared trauma bring them together and will they stay together like they couldn’t before, or is the road going to continue to be rocky? After all, we have to take into account their history and what Ainsley did. That might take precedence over a relationship.
Malcolm and Dani, JT, and Edrisa
Malcolm shared significant moments with all three during Season 1. There’s clearly something possibly brewing between him and Dani, but even just as partners, she’s someone he opens up to. Whether their relationship takes a romantic turn, that will hopefully continue (in both directions).
He and JT have bonded as well, and it would be so entertaining to see how that continues to develop as JT prepares to become a father.
Malcolm and Edrisa have bonded over shared interests, and she couldn’t be more obvious about her crush on him. Let’s see that connection continue to deepen, because few people get these two like they get each other.
